The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1887-05-21
TURKISH TREASURES.
Priceless Jewels Stored in Strong Palace
on the BOsphorus.

Oh Unc DOSpuuEus.
Our boat now headed for Seraglio
Joint, and so we had a long pleasure
ride. We were all aware of the noon
hour, and were wondering how we
should feel the rest of the day without
our lunch, when the gentlemen brought
forth baskets of grapes and strings of
the round. seeded bread. So here, be-
tween Europe and Asia, but under the
sway of the American Gag, we en-
joyed a truly Turkish lunch, and We're
only too ready, when we reached the
Golden Horn, to visit the Turks store
house of wealth. 1t is but a short walk
up from the quay to the government
buildings. These are all low and not
at all attractive, but it was the interior
that we wished to examine. All have
heard of the richness Of the treasury OF
Constantinople; but one must see it to
believe in its beauties. Quite a cere-
mony is necessary before admittance is
gained. We were about twenty, and
when we stood before the great doors
nearly as many soldiers ranged them
selves in two lines before us. A Pasha
must be called to apply the great key,
kept-so carefully in sil]1en wrappings,
and also must he be the only one to
break the seal OF the inner doors, as
that is kept to record the entrance.
When all this had been performed and
the doors swung back ON their ponder
Gus hinges we, with as much solemnity,
filed in and the faithful guards with
us-fathful because they SO closely
followed us from spot to spot. AS we
entered our eyes first rested ON the
central object Of that low. small room
"a throne 80 covered with pearls, ru-
bies and enleralds that we were obliged
to advance close to it i'll order to see
Of what the foundation was made.
This we saw to be red enamel, but at
little distance it scarcely showed.
We wanted to question the reality Of
all those pearls, but dared not, though
i suppose the attendants would not
have understood q word. This is a
Persian throne, taken in some ancient
warfare; and, in fact, most of
the things here were obtained
in that way. Our attention was
next given to the contents Of the glasses
that occupy the walls of the room. All
have heard of the bowls and plates Of
pearls, topaz, ETC., and doubtless, too,
Of the pearl embroidery, but few can
! imagine the richness Of many other
numerous things; OF a cradle Of gold.
set in diamonds so brilliant as to ap~
pear like solid one, except by the oc-
casiona] relief of an amethist Or ruby.
Then here are saddle cloths and hang
ings worked in gold and silver until
| some Of them appear solid, yet all are
bright with precious stones.
| Fine ornaments they would make,
! but to think of them ever having been
used, and still the wear on them proves
| that to be the case. and then there is
so much of it. Near them we see the
! old daggers, swords and spears, with
hits so jeweled as to be nearly covered.
In the room above this is display of
arms, n1uskets, guns, sabers and all
the implements of ancieut warfare in
their various forms. III a room adj
joining the lower enc che central
feature is a globe-1ike case full Of a
collection Of gold and silver coins, all
of different stamps and value. What
% study is here, if they would only AL
low one time, but close exanlin alton
would raise their suspicious, and no
donbt they would think we intended TO
take possession. Around this again
are arranged the cases full of q variety
of treasures, jeweled dishes-.a cup be-
ing perhaps entirely hidden on the out
side with emeralds and rubies Or q
platter trimmed with amethyst. Here,
too, are clocks of peculiar workman
ship, showing forth sailing ships, and
watches of immense size with cases
rich in stones. Truly as interesting is
the old, old china of antique design.
The most attractive feature Of the next
room is a small gold obelisk, some
four feet high and covered with
hieroglyphics. 1t is very interest,"
ing piece of work, but we all were in
clined to- put a questlon-mark after
the statement of its soidity. The cases
here are also full of jeweled articles.
Fine wells are heavy with rubies. and
elaborate hangings are wrought with
pearls and emeralds, saddle-cl
and rich draperies tell Of the wealth Of
ages ago. Above this room are repre-
sented those different Sultans who &C.
cumulated all this wealth, Each one,
beginning with Molamned H., COM
queror of Constantinople, shows the
dress of his time; each one seemed to
wish to outsbine his predecessor, and
50 all the long flowing robes are of the
richest silk, satin or velvet, Either
the brocade is larger, the trimmings
finer or the cut more graceful, so that
not one of them appears alike. The
hits of their belted daggers are gor-
geous with precious stones, but by far
Che most conspicuous part of their
dress and the most distinguishable is
the turban.-Co nsta1stiaeopIe Cor. San
Francisco Chronicle.
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